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Should fantasy managers be cautious about drafting Patrick Mahomes? (1:52)
This page will be updated throughout the summer, so continue to check back for the latest content.
Summer ramps up our excitement about the 2026 fantasy football draft season.
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Whether you play in a casual redraft league, an intense deep dynasty format or anything in between, we at ESPN Fantasy are here to help.
This draft guide will serve as a one-stop shop for all of our best material as you prepare to make the best fantasy football picks possible in every draft you're in: rankings and cheat sheets; player projections; mock drafts for different league types; sleepers, busts and breakouts; and plenty of helpful information and tips from our expert team of fantasy football analysts.
Fantasy football cheat sheets, projections and depth charts
The Ultimate Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet
All the names we've been talking about in a printable cheat sheet for your draft.
Cheat Sheet Central
A one-stop shop for printable cheat sheets that fit your specific needs.
2026 projections
Mike Clay's projected output for players at every fantasy position, sortable by category.
Depth charts: Offense | Defense
Rankings
2026 rankings hub
A range of rankings types to suit you, including our staff consensus by position, superflex, IDP, dynasty and individual overall lists.
Rankings tiers by position: QB | RB | WR | TE
Mock drafts
Fantasy Football Marathon: RB-heavy in first two rounds (8/25)
10-team, 1/2 PPR: Nacua, Love drop due to recent news (8/17)
12-team superflex: QBs go with top six picks (8/10)
Knockout Leagues: Strategy, positional depth play a large role (8/3)
10-team non-PPR: How no point per reception affects the RB/WR balance (7/20)
12-team PPR: Depth can shift your quarterback and tight end philosophy (7/13)
Superflex: Quarterbacks go early, often when starting two is an option (7/6)
10-team half-PPR: Why rushing yards, big catches matter more (6/29)
The Mock Draft Project: Results from 10 expert 10-team PPR mock drafts (5/23)
10-team PPR: Where the new rookies landed (5/1)
Ready to try a practice draft? Check out the Mock Draft Lobby
Advice and analysis
Best picks from each draft slot, Rounds 1-2: 10-team league | 12-team league
Plan for which players might be available when your picks come around as you lay the foundation for your team.
Rookies to pick in later rounds of fantasy football drafts
Whether you're in a standard league or a deeper league, these rookies could emerge in 2026 and beyond.
Field's fantasy football favorite picks for 2026
The nine players Field Yates has been happy to snag most often in drafts this summer.
Mike Clay's Ultimate Draft Board
Ideal picks for every round in a 12-team league.
Cockcroft's deep sleepers: Carson Beck, Tre' Harris and 12 more to watch
These sleepers are truly for those in deeper leagues seeking off-the-radar types who could emerge in 2026.
'Drumbeat' players generating buzz that you shouldn't ignore in drafts
Liz Loza identifies six players generating excitement who could eventually turn into league winners.
Draft-day targets: Kyler Murray, Kenny Gainwell among top values
Eric Moody lists the players he's most excited about at different junctures of fantasy football drafts.
'Do Draft' list: Henry, Mahomes among undervalued players to pick
You've read the 'Do Not Draft' list. Now, Eric Karabell lists players being drafted later than they should be.
Matt Bowen's favorite targets: 19 players to consider at all levels of your draft
Breaking down his favorite picks this year, from first-round superstars to late-round dart throws.
'Do Not Draft' list: Giants' young trio among players being overvalued
The annual hit is back, with players Eric Karabell believes are going earlier than they should in drafts this summer.
Have skills, need opportunity: 10 picks who just need a chance to shine
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft list players they are most excited about, if and when opportunity knocks.
Sleepers, Busts and Breakouts
The players our analysts think will surprise, disappoint and take a big step this season.
Loza: "Red flag" players I'll draft anyway
Liz acknowledges the warning signs, but she's still willing to click on these players.
You can have 'em: Six big-name players I'll be passing on in drafts
Liz Loza lists some marquee players she's not overly keen on drafting this season.
Fantasy football insurance RB rankings: Which backups are must-drafts?
Looking for insurance or just seeking upside at running back? Eric Moody lists those with the most potential.
Matt Bowen's superlatives: The best in the fantasy game in 30 categories
Getting you excited for 2026 with breakouts, late-round finds, most likely to bust and much more.
The six late-round fantasy draft fliers to know: Shough leads the way
Nothing is better than hitting on a "super sleeper" pick. Liz Loza offers up her favorite targets.
2026 breakouts: Why Dart, Tate, Egbuka are among those poised to shine
Mike Clay identifies 10 players in position to follow a similar path to last year's breakouts and produce big numbers.
Six players who benefit most from vacated targets and touches
Eric Moody preps you for your fantasy football draft with these players with golden opportunities.
Ranking all 32 NFL teams for fantasy value
Tiered rankings of the most attractive NFL squads for fantasy.
Players to upgrade, downgrade because of O-line
Eric Moody looks at running backs who benefit from, or are hurt by, the performance of their offensive lines.
The 12 players who will bounce back this season
Eric Karabell highlights players who disappointed in 2025 but are poised for a better 2026.
The 11 players who will score MORE this season
Mike Clay's annual list of players he expects to find the end zone more often this season.
The 12 players who will score LESS in 2026
Mike Clay's lists those who will score fewer TDs this season.
Ashton Jeanty among eight players who will benefit from new coaches
Matt Bowen explains which players are poised to thrive in new schemes following coaching changes.
Four players to trade for, trade away in dynasty
Is now the time to trade for TreVeyon Henderson? Should you cash in your chips on a pair of Cowboys?
Bad sign or just a bad season?
These nine players struggled in 2025. Tristan H. Cockcroft lets you know whether you should be concerned.
Don't be surprised if these 28 things happen in 2026
Eric Karabell offers his thoughts on players who could delight or disappoint in 2026.
Which Bears pass catcher is the best value, riskiest and safest?
Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland are being drafted close together. Mike Clay explains how you should approach them.
To draft or not to draft?
Is there a player you feel cautious about whom everyone else seems to love -- or vice versa? You're not alone.
Fantasy impact of A.J. Brown trade: Which players to upgrade, downgrade
Mike Clay provides analysis of all Eagles and Patriots players affected by the long-awaited deal.
Strategy
The Playbook: Planning a winning fantasy football draft strategy
Mike Clay goes position by position and lays out a successful approach for 2026 fantasy football drafts.
The nine mistakes that could sink your fantasy football season
Tristan H. Cockcroft outlines the pitfalls on the road to a fantasy football championship.
Secrets to a successful draft
Mike Clay explains how understanding the basics of fantasy will help you build a winning team.
Why you should wait to draft a QB ... and then take two of them
Cockcroft and Karabell provide a blueprint for drafting your QBs, including perfect pairings to target.
Don't make these six draft mistakes
Eric Moody says avoiding common pitfalls can keep your draft on track for success.
The Playbook, Part 2: Draft tips for nontraditional formats
No matter which type of league you play in, Mike Clay gives you a guide to being a savvy, title-winning manager.
Injuries and the latest buzz
Injury outlook: Mahomes, Charbonnet and Nabers among players to monitor
Stephania Bell details the players recovering from injuries and their prospects for this season.
Fantasy football buzz
Analysis of the latest news that affects the fantasy landscape.
Fantasy football how-to guides
Thinking about playing fantasy football for the first time? Or looking to increase the fun by playing a different way? We're here to help with a handful of how-to offerings.
Ways to customize your ESPN league: Superflex, salary cap, more
How to play fantasy football: Guide from draft day to the championship
How to play fantasy football in 15 minutes per week
Draft-order Olympics and other ways to make fantasy football more fun
What is a superflex league, and why should you try one?
Why this is the season to try an IDP league